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Wolf Eyes
Burned Mind


4.5
superb

Review

by SubtleDagger USER (35 Reviews)
April 21st, 2006 | 20 replies


Release Date: 2004 | Tracklist


The aptly-named noise pioneers Wolf Eyes began in 1998 under the guise of instrument creator Nate Young, who was a former member of several different noise projects in Michigan's underground music scene. Garnering former guitarist bandmate Aaron Dilloway in 1999 and drummer John Olson in 2000, Wolf Eyes steadily became the leading noise purveyor of their day, and there is no better evidence of this than their fifth major release, 2004's Burned Mind, released on Sub Pop Records (famed for being headed by the originators of noise themselves, Sonic Youth). Burned Mind is arguably their defining release to date and may very well be remembered as a noise classic.

Proving they are not just apt at naming their own outfit, Burned Mind is exactly what you'd expect from its title, and all its songs have as fitting names as they could possibly be given. For example, the lead-off track, "Dead in a Boat", starts off just as silent-but-deadly as you would expect it to, with small dripping/creaking sounds in the far background drawing up thoughts of industrial noise masters Throbbing Gristle just before leading into an electric screech and then utter sonic cacaphony, a crescendoing machinistic-yet-human scream drowning in it all. Just as it reaches its apex, "Stabbed in the Face" does, again, exactly what you think it does: it creates the musical equivalent of stabbing you in the face. A harsh bass slam counters itself with a penetrating high frequency before a wall of wailing electronic death washes over you, Young rasping dissonantly over it all as Olson defiantly smacks something again and again in no particular beat.

And that's the introduction to Burned Mind and the band itself, an unrelenting feeling of musical terror. Before I had listened to this I thought I had listened to some creepy stuff-- I used to sleep to Fantomas' Delirium Cordia (it's not that scary... or good) and people used to complain about it. I knew people who thought their underground black metal atmospherists were the creepiest sound-creators ever. I can safely say though that I won't be sleeping to this. This isn't the soundtrack to a scary movie where all the creepy cards are layed on the table. This is the soundtrack to a nightmare, some freakish sort of technologically desperate nightmare. Many people wouldn't even call this music, though I heavily disagree... there are sounds and patterns here, they're just covered in a dirt most people don't want to dig through. To those objectors I say that music includes things you do want to hear and things you don't want to hear; while many people may not want to hear this, it is surely compositional enough to be considered as such.

And excellent tracks such as "Village Oblivia" and "Rattle Snake Shake" further that point; as gritty and nerve-wracking as they are, there are underlying melodic sequences underneath them. "Rattle Snake Shake" houses some of the most interesting bass droning I've heard in a while and a fantastic sense of atmosphere throughout. It sounds like an air raid siren from Hell atop, well... a ratlesnake, I guess. Don't blame me, that's what it sounds like. When "Ancient Delay", "Black Vomit" and the title track cut in with their signature sounds, you start thinking these guys should be foley artists for ideas. Someone could name them a completely random horrific phrase and they could craft a soundscape that perfectly matches the idea. That's the mark of good musicians: they can manipulate your brain and not just your ears, and Wolf Eyes definitely does that, as terrifying as it is.

And the last untitled track is almost beyond words. Let's just say the rest are silence and the last is a three and a half manifesto of sound collaging. And of course, it's just as eerie as everything else here, if not worse (better). By the end it all just feels like total mayhem and you feel like your ears and brain weathered a category five hurricane.

Burned Mind is the epitome of a fantastic noise album and there is no way I would give it a low rating simply because it promotes headaches in the easily perturbed. I truly believe this is a high point in the genre and the only reason I wouldn't give it a perfect rating is that there are filler tracks here that just set up other tracks. A useless song is a useless song. With that said, feel free to have a listen to find out whether you love where noise has gone over the past decade or you can't stand this garbage those elitist kids are listening to. I, for one, will gladly listen to this any time I need a good old-fashioned musical piledriving.



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user ratings (100)
3.3
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
Zebra
Moderator
April 21st 2006


2647 Comments


I've never listened to much Noise Rock so I think I might give this a shot.
Good review.

The Jungler
April 21st 2006


4826 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

These guys are fairly insane. I've only heard a few tracks off this record, but it's worth checking out.

Theres this song, Dead Hills on another one of their records that sounds like the freaking devil himself.

Great review btw

SubtleDagger
April 21st 2006


737 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Dead Hills is probably their best EP, it's nuts.



Their split with Black Dice is also definitely worth checking out.This Message Edited On 04.21.06

AlienEater
April 23rd 2006


716 Comments


They sound pretty interesting.

ValiumMan
September 30th 2006


493 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

EDIT: Fuck this. I love them now. :DThis Message Edited On 04.02.07

repeatdefender
October 10th 2009


5 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

I'm finding it very hard to get into this band. If only there was just a little but more melody. But i guess i'm just missing the point...

ReadyForTheHouse
November 29th 2010


88 Comments


I like this in parts but it's completely insane and the high pitched squeeks during 'Stabbed in the Face' give me earache :-)



Kman418
December 26th 2013


13271 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

brother got me this for christmas

Gwyn.
December 26th 2013


17270 Comments


I heard one or two songs or smthn from this like a year ago and it wasn't good so get ready 2 trade it

EaglesBecomeVultures
December 26th 2013


5572 Comments


band's p good

Kman418
December 26th 2013


13271 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

i've been digging this style of terrifying fucked up noise rock a lot lately so i'm kind of happy he did actually



haven't jammed yet anywho

Kman418
January 6th 2014


13271 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

this is so good

Kman418
January 6th 2014


13271 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

wtf that avg rating is so wrong

owen
July 9th 2014


5146 Comments


this is sick

Supercoolguy64
February 21st 2015


11850 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

tabs?

foxblood
October 4th 2018


11237 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Urine Burn is 10/10 I think

Blizzink
August 4th 2020


248 Comments


David Crosby thinks this sucks

SandwichBubble
August 4th 2020


13812 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Woah, nice bump.

I really need to check these guys again.

FabiusPictor202
March 20th 2021


1976 Comments


inzane



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